Curved outward shower curtain liner

ABSTRACT

The magnetic cards are to help secure the shower curtain liner to the inside of the shower tub (especially in the corners).

REFERENCES

-   U.S. Pat. No. 9,107,544 Aug. 18, 2015 Cittadino, et al. -   U.S. Pat. No. 9,192,267 Nov. 24, 2015 Tsibulevskiy, et al.

DESCRIPTION Technical Field

Generally, the present disclosure relates to shower accessories. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to shower curtain liners.

Background

In the present disclosure, where a document, an act and/or an item of knowledge is referred to and/or discussed, then such reference and/or discussion is not an admission that the document, the act and/or the item of knowledge and/or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge and/or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provisions; and/or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which the present disclosure may be concerned with.

Shower liners are typically mounted to a shower rod with individual, separate hooks that suspend the shower liner from the rod.

The liner typically includes eyelets along a top edge and the hooks extend through the eyelets and over the rod to hang the liner.

The liner may be drawn to a closed position where water from the shower is deflected by the liner back into the shower or tub to prevent water from splashing onto the bathroom floor.

Shower liners can have an undesirable effect of being drawn into the shower while in operation.

Shower liners may also not effectively stay flat against the walls of the shower on the ends of the shower, thus allowing water to escape.

Shower liners have been constructed with hookless fasteners that are fixedly mounted to a top edge of the liner to suspend the liner from the shower rod.

A curtain liner depending on various styles and product variance offerings can be suspended to a shower rod either by separate hooks or hookless eyelets.

A typical shower curtain liner effectively prevents water from spraying past the curtain during the showering process.

In addition, a typical shower curtain liner has magnets and/or suction cups to help hold the shower curtain liner in place to help prevent water from spraying past the shower curtain.

Further, some typical shower curtain liners have suction cups which help to hold the shower curtain along the sides to the shower tiles to help prevent water from spraying past the shower curtain.

While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed to facilitate the present disclosure, no technical aspects are disclaimed.

The claims may encompass at least one of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure may at least partially address at least one of the above.

However, the present disclosure may prove useful to other technical areas.

Therefore, the claims should not be construed as necessarily limited to addressing any of the above.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure a curved outward shower curtain liner is provided.

A curved outward shower curtain liner includes a body having opposing side ends, an upper end and a lower end opposing the upper end.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure a curved outward shower curtain liner is provided.

The body can vary in thickness and be made from various usually flexible and/or foldable materials between the side ends, but may be solid, semi-solid; as future smart materials may allow for variations/transitioning.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure a curved outward shower curtain liner is provided.

The body if made from future smart material(s) which may allow for variations/transitioning, the curved outward shower curtain liner could be relaxed to be a normal flat shower curtain liner when curved outward is not needed.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure a curved outward shower curtain liner is provided.

The body if made from future smart material(s) which may allow for variations/transitioning, the curved outward shower curtain liner could be activated to become a curved outward show curtain liner when needed.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure a curved outward shower curtain liner is provided.

The body is configured for opening from either side to side toward either side collapsing into a bunch when a force is applied onto either end toward the other end.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure a curved outward shower curtain liner is provided.

The lower end for the horizontal model/version is configured for substantially remaining in place without response to vertical forces.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure a curved outward shower curtain liner is provided.

A curved outward shower curtain liner has rubber or wire poles (can be hard and/or flexible curved whips) that are sewn or seamed into the shower curtain liner.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure a curved outward shower curtain liner is provided.

A curved outward shower curtain liner allows the liner to curve outward (away from the shower making more usable room inside the shower).

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure a curved outward shower curtain liner is provided.

Affixed to the bottoms of the rubber or wire poles and also sewn or seamed into the curved outward shower curtain liner are magnetic cards.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure a curved outward shower curtain liner is provided.

The magnetic cards (depending on styles can be of various shapes including but not limited to circular, oval, triangle, rectangular, square, etc.).

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure a curved outward shower curtain liner is provided.

The magnetic cards are to help secure the shower curtain liner to the inside of the shower tub (especially in the corners).

The present disclosure may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

However, attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative.

Variations are contemplated as being part of the disclosure, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate example embodiments of the present disclosure. Such drawings are not to be construed as necessarily limiting the disclosure.

Like numbers and/or similar numbering scheme can refer to like and/or similar elements throughout.

FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of a curved outward shower curtain liner from an inside of the shower view in an expanded state according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows an example embodiment of a curved outward shower curtain liner from an outside of the shower view in an expanded state according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right,” “left,” “lower,” and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” or “distally” and “outwardly” or “proximally” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center or orientation of preferred hookless shower liner fasteners, a liner, a shower curtain and related parts thereof. The terminology includes the above-listed words, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

The present disclosure is now described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the present disclosure are shown.

The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as necessarily being limited to the example embodiments disclosed herein.

Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure is thorough and complete, and fully conveys the concepts of the present disclosure to those skilled in the relevant art.

In addition, features described with respect to certain example embodiments may be combined in and/or with various other example embodiments.

Different aspects and/or elements of example embodiments, as disclosed herein, may be combined in a similar manner.

The terminology used herein can imply direct or indirect, full or partial, temporary or permanent, action or inaction.

For example, when an element is referred to as being “on,” “connected” or “coupled” to another element, then the element can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element and/or intervening elements may be present, including indirect and/or direct variants.

In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.

Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not necessarily be limited by such terms.

These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section.

Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be necessarily limiting of the present disclosure.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

The terms “comprises,” “includes” and/or “comprising,” “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the present disclosure. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected.

Thus, the example embodiments of the present disclosure should not be construed as necessarily limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be formed from a same, structurally continuous piece, such as being unitary, and/or be separately manufactured and/or connected, such as being an assembly and/or modules.

Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be manufactured via any manufacturing processes, whether additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing, and/or other any other types of manufacturing.

For example, some manufacturing processes include three dimensional (3D) printing, laser cutting, computer numerical control (CNC) routing, milling, pressing, stamping, vacuum forming, hydroforming, injection molding, lithography, and so forth.

Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can include, whether partially and/or fully, a solid, including a metal, a mineral, an amorphous material, a ceramic, a glass ceramic, an organic solid, such as wood and/or a polymer, such as rubber, a composite material, a semiconductor, a nanomaterial, a biomaterial and/or any combinations thereof.

Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can include, whether partially and/or fully, a coating, including an informational coating, such as ink, an adhesive coating, a melt-adhesive coating, such as vacuum seal and/or heat seal, a release coating, such as tape liner, a low surface energy coating, an optical coating, such as for tint, color, hue, saturation, tone, shade, transparency, translucency, non-transparency, luminescence, reflection, anti-reflection and/or holography, a photo-sensitive coating, an electronic and/or thermal property coating, such as for passivity, insulation, resistance or conduction, a magnetic coating, a water-resistant and/or waterproof coating, a scent coating and/or any combinations thereof.

Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be rigid, flexible, and/or any other combinations thereof. Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be identical and/or different from each other in material, shape, size, color and/or any measurable dimension, such as length, width, height, depth, area, orientation, perimeter, volume, breadth, density, temperature, resistance, and so forth.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized and/or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Furthermore, relative terms such as “below,” “lower,” “above,” and “upper” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Such relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of illustrated technologies in addition to the orientation depicted in the accompanying drawings.

For example, if a device in the accompanying drawings were turned over, then the elements described as being on the “lower” side of other elements would then be oriented on “upper” sides of the other elements. Similarly, if the device in one of the figures were turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented “above” the other elements.

Therefore, the example terms “below” and “lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below.

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right,” “left,” “lower,” and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” or “distally” and “outwardly” or “proximally” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center or orientation of preferred hookless shower liner fasteners, a liner, a shower curtain and related parts thereof. The terminology includes the above-listed words, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

If any disclosures are incorporated herein by reference and such disclosures conflict in part and/or in whole with the present disclosure, then to the extent of conflict, and/or broader disclosure, and/or broader definition of terms, the present disclosure controls. If such disclosures conflict in part and/or in whole with one another, then to the extent of conflict, the later-dated disclosure controls.

FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of a curved outward shower curtain liner L (the vertical model/version) from an inside of the shower view in an expanded state according to the present disclosure.

In the first preferred embodiment, the curved outward shower curtain liner L has a top edge 14 a, a bottom edge 14 b, a right edge 14 c, and a left edge 14 d.

A plurality of hooks, fasteners or rings H are attached or are already a part (hookless models) of the curved outward shower curtain liner L proximate the top edge 14 a.

The plurality of hooks, fasteners or rings H suspend the curved outward shower curtain liner L from the shower rod R and permit slideable movement of the hook, rings or fasteners H along the rod R to open and/or close the shower or tub, as would be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing this application.

A shower room contains a shower curtain liner L, a shower rod R, a bathtub/shower stall and a plurality of hooks, fasteners or rings H. A bathtub/shower stall includes an opening for user entry and/or user exit.

A curved outward shower curtain liner L is in an expanded state as suspended from rod R. In the expanded state, liner L substantially covers the opening of bathtub/shower stall.

Rod R is mounted substantially horizontally across the opening of bathtub/shower stall and can be close to a ceiling of the shower room.

A curved outward shower curtain liner L can be cordless, vertically and/or horizontally pleated, and/or cellular.

Note that other types of curved outward shower curtain liners L are possible, such as a venetian blind, a roman shade, or any other curtain typically used as a window covering.

A curved outward shower curtain liner L can have light filtering, light polarizing, darkening, or blackout properties.

The light filtering can be used to depict images and/or text and/or shadows on a wall within the shower for view of a person showering.

A curved outward shower curtain liner L can have different designs depicted on any one or both sides of a curved outward shower curtain liner L.

An example embodiment of a curved outward shower curtain liner L can be similar to a horizontally or vertically pleated window blind, which is opened and closed side to side or up and down (depending on model) by manual action.

A curved outward shower curtain liner L can include waterproof material.

A curved outward shower curtain liner L can be transparent, translucent, or opaque.

A curved outward shower curtain liner L can have any shape, such as a parallelogram, a polygon, an ellipse, a triangle, and so forth.

A curved outward shower curtain liner L can include a single, a double, or a multiple layer of collapsible voids that provide insulation when a curved outward shower curtain liner L is in the extended state.

A curved outward shower curtain liner L is secured to rod R via hooks, fasteners or rings H coupled to the top 14 a of a curved outward shower curtain liner L.

Alternatively, a curved outward shower curtain liner L can be secured to rod R or top 14 a via adhesives, magnets, mating mechanisms, suction cups and/or other similar securing/fastening/coupling methods.

For example, support or mounting brackets/head-rails can be used along with screws for attachment.

A curved outward shower curtain liner L can be mounted inside or outside the bracket.

A valance may be used to cover the mounting bracket or head-rail.

When a frame is used, then the frame itself may be made from any material, which allows attachment to a curved outward shower curtain liner L.

A curved outward shower curtain liner L can travel within the frame, such as via frame rails.

A curved outward shower curtain liner L can be pulled via a rod or other device, such as a pull tag.

The mounting bracket can be attached to a wall or the ceiling.

Moreover, at least two mounting brackets or bars can be used.

This can allow for a part of a curved outward shower curtain liner L to move substantially horizontally.

A curved outward shower curtain liner L can be controlled via a remote control device.

In addition, a curved outward shower curtain liner L can be opened automatically when water from a showerhead is turned off.

Alternatively, a curved outward shower curtain liner L can be coupled to rod R, the frame, or the wall in any way.

A curved outward shower curtain liner L can have weights on the bottom 14 b to keep a curved outward shower curtain liner L in place, as discussed herein.

Alternatively, a curved outward shower curtain liner L can have adhesives, magnets, mating mechanisms, suction cups and/or any other securing/fastening/coupling technologies coupled to the bottom 14 b such that these securing/fastening/coupling technologies can couple the bottom 14 b to bathtub/shower stall or a floor in the shower room.

A curved outward shower curtain liner L can include at least one of vinyl, plastic, polymer, carbon fiber, metal, wood, rubber, and so forth.

A curved outward shower curtain liner L can stay in any position indefinitely.

A curved outward shower curtain liner L can be coated with anti-bacterial and/or anti-mildew and/or anti-mold coatings.

A curved outward shower curtain liner L can be made from anti-bacterial and/or anti-mildew and/or anti-mold materials.

A curved outward shower curtain liner L can be hung over one side of tub/shower stall, enclosing tub/shower stall, surrounding tub/shower stall, or if tub/shower stall has some open geometric shape, like U-shaped, then a curved outward shower curtain liner L can cover the open space.

A curved outward shower curtain liner L can work with rod R, which can be straight rod or straight rod, such as a wavy rod, an arcuate rod, a bent rod, a zigzag rod, a telescoping rod, a hinged foldable rod, and so forth.

Rod R can have a smooth surface, a rough surface, a rugged surface, and so forth.

The curved outward whips/poles 10 can be semi-hard, completely hard, soft, flexible, etc.

The curved outward whips/poles 10 can be attached to the curved outward shower curtain liner L via various methods including but not limited to being integrated/part of, sewn, clipped, slipped into, or seamed into the curved outward shower curtain liner L.

The curved outward whips/poles 10 can made from any material(s) or combinations of materials including but not limited to vinyl, plastic, polymer, carbon fiber, metal, wire, wood, rubber, and so forth.

The curved outward whips/poles 10 can stay in any position indefinitely.

The curved outward whips/poles 10 can be coated with anti-bacterial and/or anti-mildew and/or anti-mold coatings.

The curved outward whips/poles 10 can be made from anti-bacterial and/or anti-mildew and/or anti-mold materials.

A curved outward shower curtain liner allows the liner to curve outward (away from the shower making more usable room inside the shower).

Affixed to the bottoms of the curved outward whips/poles 10 and also sewn or seamed into the curved outward shower curtain liner are magnetic cards 30.

The magnetic cards 30 (depending on styles) can be of various shapes including but not limited to circular, oval, triangle, rectangular, square, etc.

The magnetic cards 30 (depending on styles) can be of various shapes including but not limited to suction cup(s) and/or have suction cups (made from any material) affixed (via any method) with the suction facing towards the outside of the shower.

The magnetic cards 30 (depending on styles) can be made from any material(s) or combinations of materials including but not limited to vinyl, plastic, polymer, carbon fiber, metal, wire, wood, rubber, and so forth.

The magnetic cards 30 (depending on styles) can be coated with anti-bacterial and/or anti-mildew and/or anti-mold coatings.

The magnetic cards 30 (depending on styles) can be made from anti-bacterial and/or anti-mildew and/or anti-mold coatings.

The magnetic cards 30 are to help secure the shower curtain liner to the inside of the shower tub (especially in the corners).

The magnetic cards 30 can be attached to the curved outward shower curtain liner L and the curved outward whips/poles 10 via various methods including but not limited to being integrated/part of, sewn, clipped, slipped into, or seamed into the curved outward shower curtain liner L.

The magnetic cards 30 are attached to the curved outward whips/poles 10 and can be completely, semi/partially or not directly attached to the curved outward shower curtain liner L depending on the version/model of the curved outward shower curtain liner L.

If the magnetic cards 30 are attached to the curved outward whips/poles 10 and are the version/model which are completely attached to the curved outward shower curtain liner L, they will not extend past 14 b.

If the magnetic cards 30 are attached to the curved outward whips/poles 10 and are the version/model which are semi/partially attached to the curved outward shower curtain liner L, they will partially extend/protrude past 14 b.

If the magnetic cards 30 are attached to the curved outward whips/poles 10 and are the version/model which are not directly attached to the curved outward shower curtain liner L, they will completely extend past 14 b.

The magnetic cards 30 and the curved outward whips/poles 10 depending on the version/model regardless of how they are attached to the curved outward shower curtain liner L can vary in quantity of 1, 2, 3 or any number/many.

The magnetic cards 30 and the curved outward whips/poles 10 depending on the version/model curved outward shower curtain liner L can be of a quantity of one or none if the entire curved outward shower curtain liner L is comprised/completely made from one magnetic card 30 and the curved outward whip/pole 10 that is stretched becoming the entire curved outward shower curtain liner L itself.

The body if made from future smart material(s) which may allow for variations/transitioning, the curved outward shower curtain liner L could be relaxed to be a normal flat shower curtain liner when curved outward feature is not needed.

The body if made from future smart material(s) which may allow for variations/transitioning, the curved outward shower curtain liner L could be activated to become a curved outward show curtain liner when needed.

The body if made from future smart material(s) which may allow for variations/transitioning/reversible changes similar to how water can be frozen, melted and frozen again unlimited times, the curved outward shower curtain liner L could be relaxed, activated and relaxed again unlimited times.

The body if made from future smart material(s) which may allow for variations/transitioning/reversible changes of the curved outward shower curtain liner L could be relaxed, activated and relaxed again unlimited times may be triggered from heat, cold, chemical, electrical or other various methods including but not limited to a click from bending metal disk.

The body if made from future smart material(s) which may allow for variations/transitioning/reversible changes of the curved outward shower curtain liner L could be relaxed, activated and relaxed again unlimited times if triggered from fluctuations of temperature and/or a click from bending metal disk, would be similar but not limited to how hand warmers filled with sodium acetate and water crystallize.

FIG. 2 shows an example embodiment of a curved outward shower curtain liner from an outside of the shower view in an expanded state according to the present disclosure.

To reach the semi-expanded/retracted/open state from the expanded state, i.e., to open a curved outward shower curtain liner L, a curved outward shower curtain liner L is pulled sideways from either side 14 c or 14 d toward the opposite side via pulling on 14 c or 14 d depending on which side is desired to be opened from.

Such pulling can be manual and/or automatic.

Pulling from a side, such as via applying a force in a direction towards either 14 c or 14 d, effectively causes the curved outward shower curtain liner L to collapse, bunch and/or fold.

Resultantly, the curved outward shower curtain liner L horizontally collapses, bunches and/or folds against/into itself.

When the force is removed, a curved outward shower curtain liner L can remain in the semi-expanded/retracted/open state indefinitely.

Note that the semi-expanded/retracted/open state can be along any point along a horizontal axis between sides 14 c or 14 b.

To reach the semi-expanded or expanded state from a retracted or open state, such as to close a curved outward shower curtain liner L, a curved outward shower curtain liner L is pulled sideways from either side 14 c or 14 d toward the open opposite side via pulling on 14 c or 14 d depending on which side is currently open.

In an example embodiment, a curved outward shower curtain liner L is opened or closed via manual action of a user.

Alternatively, a curved outward shower curtain liner L is opened or closed automatically via a suitable control system.

Alternatively, a curved outward shower curtain liner L can be opened or closed by pressing a button, or operating a switch, or a touchscreen display, or pulling a lever, located on a curved outward shower curtain liner L and/or with simultaneously manually raising or lowering a curved outward shower curtain liner L.

Alternatively, a curved outward shower curtain liner L can be opened or closed through a voice command which is input into an input unit situated on a curved outward shower curtain liner L.

For example, if a user says “open” then a curved outward shower curtain liner L opens, and if the user says “close” then a curved outward shower curtain liner L closes. 

1. Using this curved outward shower curtain liner in a typical shower that has a metal tub (a typical metal tub that typical magnets will stick to) will allow the shower curtain to stick to the tub.
 2. The magnetic cards at the bottom of the curtain liner when stuck to the shower tub will allow the curving of the liner outward away from the shower, thus making more usable room inside the shower.
 3. Using this curved outward shower curtain liner in a typical shower that is not a metal tub (a typical non-metal tub that typical magnets will not stick to) or a shower stall (not a tub) will also allow the shower curtain to stick to the tub or shower stall due to the curved outward rubber or wire poles (which can be hard and/or flexible curved whips) that are sewn or seamed into the shower curtain liner pushing outward against the tub and/or shower stall while also being held in a downward direction due to gravity.
 4. The curtain liner can also be pushed reversing its curve inward into the shower, thus making less usable room inside the shower to allow more usable space inside the bathroom for when the shower and/or tub are not in use and/or for when curving outward of the curtain is not desired.
 5. This curved outward shower curtain liner under normal typical showering conditions should prevent the shower curtain from being drawn into the showering area.
 6. Under typical showering conditions the shower curtain is sometimes drawn into the showering area usually due to air pressure typically caused by shower heads when the shower is dispensing water from the shower head, this curved outward shower curtain liner under normal typical showering conditions should prevent or minimize the shower curtain from being drawn into the showering area.
 7. This curved outward shower curtain liner under normal typical showering conditions should also prevent the corners of the bottom of the shower curtain liner from moving away from towards the corners of the bottom of the shower tub.
 8. Preventing the corners of the bottom of the shower curtain liner from moving away from towards the corners of the bottom of the shower tub should help to prevent water from escaping the shower. 